Past Research Studies

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CHIP

Care of housebound patients in primary care (The CHIP Study)

A survey for clinicians about what impact COVID-19 has had on care delivering to housebound patients (defined here as people who are unable to attend the GP surgery). 

 These are an under researched group with complex health and social needs. The purpose of the clinician survey is to find out about the workforce involved in home visits, initiatives for housebound and/or frail patients and changes to the care of housebound patients due to the COVID-19 pandemic

Aims:

A) To explore clinician views on changes to the delivery of care to housebound patients due to the COVID-19 pandemic

B) To assess the feasibility of using a new network of trainees and health professionals in primary care to carry out high quality research

This study has now ended. 

 

Integrated Bipolar Parenting Intervention

The Spectrum Centre is studying how online parenting support specifically for parents diagnosed with bipolar disorder can improve both parents' and children's wellbeing. This study aims aims to assess whether providing online parenting support (IBPI) for parents with bipolar disorder leads to their children having fewer behavioural and emotional problems. We also want to know whether the online support helps parents feel less stressed and more confident about their parenting and have fewer mood problems. If successful, the IBPI can be made widely available for parents with bipolar disorder.

This study has now closed for recruitment. 

ARTIC PC

Antibiotics for lower Respiratory Tract Infection in Children presenting in Primary Care

The ARTIC study was developed to investigate the effectiveness of antibiotics in children presenting with uncomplicated (non-pneumonic) lower respiratory tract infection in primary care. Acute respiratory infections are among the commonest conditions managed in primary care, and data among children confirms that at least 60% of children presenting with symptoms are prescribed antibiotics. Although trials among adults suggest that antibiotics have a modest benefit, no randomised placebo-controlled trials have been conducted to support or dispute the common use of antibiotics in children with chest infections. After the data had been analysed, this study found that amoxicillin for uncomplicated chest infections in children is unlikely to be clinically effective either overall or for key subgroups in whom antibiotics are commonly prescribed. They concluded that unless pneumonia is suspected, clinicians should provide safety-netting advice but not prescribe antibiotics for most children presenting with chest infections.

This study has now ended. 

CLASP

Cancer: Life Affirming Survivorship support in Primary care

The CLASP study aimed to evaluate an online intervention offering lifestyle and wellbeing support for cancer survivors, called Renewed. The intervention was developed using feedback from patients and healthcare professionals and provides modules for lifestyle (healthy eating, weight management, physical activity) and well-being (coping with emotional distress, reducing fatigue). The primary objective was to investigate whether the web-based Renewed programme resulted in a difference in quality of life at 6-month follow-up compared to treatment as usual. We are still awaiting the findings of this study.

This study has now ended. 

Convalescent Serology

This study, led by Public Health England and the University of Oxford, is looking at blood samples from patients who have recovered from COVID-19. Blood samples taken from patients who have had and are recovering from a confirmed COVID-19 infection help researchers to understand the antibody response following infection. This in turn will help to develop new tests for detecting the coronavirus infection. Blood samples are taken at the following dates post infection: 3-6 weeks, 12 weeks, 20 weeks, 9 months and 12 months.

This study has now ended. 

IsoFit-BP

Isometric exercise for people with raised Blood Pressure

Support a local piece of research developed through the University of Kent, Canterbury Christ Church University and East Kent Hospitals University Foundation Trust, IsoFIT-BP!

Within the UK approximately 8 million people are affected by high blood pressure (BP). Standard treatment normally includes changes in lifestyle and/or medication, however, more than half of patients fail to control their BP due to unpleasant side effects associated with medication, and the difficulty of complying with exercise recommendations (at least 150 minutes a week of moderate intensity activity) and dietary changes. The aim of IsoFIT-BP is to find out whether a particular form of static exercise - isometric exercise - is efficient in reducing BP in those with mild hypertension and subsequently whether nurses and allied health professionals can deliver these exercises in a primary care NHS setting.

This study has now ended. 

Low Mood and Anxiety Clinic

Newton Place Surgery previously worked in partnership with P1vital Products Ltd, Canterbury Coastal CCG, the University of Kent and Mind on a research project funded by Innovate UK to provide a walk in clinic to patients registered with a Faversham GP practice for depression and anxiety. The project involved implementing a new service incorporating digital technology (i-spero®) within a multi-disciplinary team of healthcare professionals with specialist training.

This study has now ended. 

RECAP

Remote COVID-19 Assessment in Primary Care

The RECAP project was a collaborative effort between the University of Oxford and Imperial College London, that aimed to develop a tool to assist primary care providers in the identification of COVID-19 patients who may be at risk of becoming severe. It also aimed to facilitate the early escalation of treatment in order to improve patient outcomes. The study found that both RECAP models were valid tools to assess COVID-19 patients in the community.

Newton Place successfully recruited 13 patients to take part in the trial.

REDUCE

ReviEwing long term anti-Depressant Use by Careful monitoring in Everyday practice

Newton Place Surgery are working alongside the University of Southampton to identify feasible, safe, reliable and cost-effective ways of helping patients withdraw from long-term antidepressant use, where appropriate. The researchers are looking to explore the difficulties people experience when withdrawing and identify factors that patients and practitioners think might help people to withdraw.

This study has now ended. 

Relieve IBS-D

Double-blinded randomised placebo controlled trial of Enterosgel (polymethylsiloxane polyhydrate) for the treatment of IBS with diarrhoea (IBS-D)

This study looked at the treatment of Irritable Bowel Syndrome with diarrhoea (IBS-D). The primary objective was to test the effectiveness of a treatment called Enterosgel compared with a placebo in terms of patient reported outcomes for stool consistency and abdominal pain. Enterosgel was shown to improve stool consistency, abdominal pain, stool frequency and urgency and is now considered safe and effective in IBS-D, providing an alternative to the limited current treatment option.

This study has now ended. 

Retrospective Survey of Prevention, Treatment, Occurrence and Outcomes of Covid-19 in the community

Newton Place Surgery asked patients to complete a survey run by the University of Southampton to help researchers understand how to beat Coronavirus. This online survey aims to inform the management of the Covid-19 pandemic by describing use of preventive behaviours, transmission to household contacts, occurrence of infections, the clinical features, use of treatments, and outcomes of people who have experienced suspected COVID-19 illness or any respiratory tract infection during the global pandemic, whether confirmed COVID-19 or not, and the preventive behaviours and treatments of those who have not experienced a suspected COVID-19 illness.

This study has now ended. 

Psychological Impact of Covid-19

To help increase our knowledge of how coronavirus and the changing restrictions have impacted mental health, patients were asked to complete a short, 15 minute questionnaire on how they are coping during the pandemic. The responses are being used to support our understanding of how mental health and wellbeing has been affected by the pandemic and also what may be helpful for people during this time. Newton Place was overwhelmed with the response rate for this research project and would like to thank all patients who took the time to participate.

This study has now ended. 

The PRINCIPLE Trial

PRINCIPLE is another clinical trial led by the University of Oxford exploring treatments for COVID-19. So far over 11,000 patients have taken part in this study from practices across England. The eligibility criteria are as below:

• You are currently experiencing COVID-19 symptoms for 14 days or less
• AND: You have had a positive test for COVID-19 in the last 14 days
• AND: You are aged 18 or over

This study has now ended.